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6 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

Climbing & Trekking on Mount Kilimanjaro

Trip Overview

6 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

The Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route provides the shortest route, and toughest, to the Southern Glaciers of Kilimanjaro and the Western Breach of Kibo. An ascent of Kibo by the Umbwe route is one of the finest non-technical mountaineering expeditions. It is a challenging route, unsuitable for the solitary or the inexperienced, and off the beaten track.
Please keep in mind that we only organize private treks; you and your travel companion(s) will be the only ones on the tour!
This itinerary starts and ends in Arusha or Moshi. An additional day’s stay in Arusha can be booked for an extra fee.

You will be met at the International Airport by your Driver/Guide and our representative. We will take you to the Mount Meru Game Lodge (or any other suitable hotel depending on your arrival time). Our Kilimanjaro Expert will come to meet you and to provide you with a briefing on your climb.

Dinner and Overnight at Mount Meru Game Lodge.

Hike up through the Rongai Forest—approx. 2625 m
In the morning, we pick you up from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi and drive to the town of Nalemoru, on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro, and the trail head five miles outside of town. From the park entrance, you start the climb, passing through pine forest and a short stretch of mountainous rainforest until we reach the heather and moorlands. It is about a 4-5 hour walk to Sekimba camp at an approx. elevation of 2625m but we advise people to go very slowly. The forest teems with bird life, and colobus and other monkeys may be seen. We should arrive in the late afternoon, so the rest of the day will be used to relax and recheck your equipment.
Overnight at Sekimba campsite. All meals included.

Continue through the forest (on this side is no such forest belt), eventually encountering the moorlands just below a large lava overhang known as Second Cave . Here we have lunch, then traverse the open moorlands toward the spectacular peak of Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro’s second major peak rising. Our second camp is at Kikelewa, (relative) shortly before reaching the saddle that connects Mawenzi to Kibo and Uhuru peaks. (5-6 hours hiking.)

Overnight at a campsite. All meals included.

Rising early, you climb steadily to the craggy, jagged peaks of Mawenzi.  (One of the volcanic peaks) camp beneath Mawenzi at approx. 4,300m. Some climbers take an alternative route away from Mawenzi and camp on the north side of the saddle (Mawenzi Tarn Hut is on the north).
Overnight at a campsite All meals included.

Trek to the Outward Bound Hut (School Hut or preferably Kibo Hut) at 4,715m between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Mountain vistas are fabulous as we emerge onto the saddle between glacier-covered Kibo and rock-crowned Mawenzi (these mountain views alone are worth the effort of the trek!). We’ll arrive by lunchtime and have the afternoon to organize and rest up for the summit attempt. We’ll turn in early (since we’ll be up before midnight).
Overnight at a campsite All meals included.

This is the hardest day of the climb and an early start before midnight or one where it is dark and cold and where you use your head torch for the first few hours. You will pass (rest and have coffee at) Hans Meyers cave after about 3 hours of climbing. Depending on weather conditions, the temperature can be as low as -25 c. At dawn, you should reach Gilman’s point and usually see a spectacular sunrise as you stand above the clouds. From here, if you have enough energy left, a further 1 and a half hours walk before you are standing on the highest part of the African continent-Uhuru Peak. After a quick photo session, you descend to Kibo and then to Horombo at 3700m for a well-deserved dinner (beer!! – no permanent kiosk or provided) and a good night’s sleep. 12 hours of hiking).
Overnight at a campsite or Horombo Hut. All meals included.

Descending across the moorland and into the forest to Mandara hut, where a meal is served, a walk of about 3 or 4 hours and the last stretch of 2 hours through the rain forest to Marangu Gate. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters, we’ll take you to Arusha or Moshi for extension.

End of 6 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

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